Stamkos is expected to begin his NHL career immediately in the 2008-2009 season.

Scouting Report

Scouting Comments:

Red Line Report says, "An elite, top-line centre people will pay to see, with a style comparative to Steve Yzerman."

Pete Choquette says, "He does everything really well. He won't be one of the best two or three players in the game in any one area, but he'll be one of the best fifteen to twenty players in the game at everything. Everything. Skating, finishing, passing, backchecking, faceoffs, battle level, backchecking: he does it all without any real discernable weaknesses."

Strengths:

Stamkos is incredibly skilled with an elite package of speed, balance, and stickhandling to go with an amazing finishing touch. He also sees the ice well and is an outstanding playmaker. He will go to the net and other high traffic areas and is surprisingly strong defensively for a young offensive player. Off the ice, Stamkos also possesses strong leadership potential and work ethic.

Weaknesses:

Stamkos' only weakness is that he will need to continue to add muscle in order to compete in the NHL, which is natural for an 18 year old. Other than that, there are no obvious flaws in his game and he is clearly the most complete player from day one the Tampa Bay Lightning have ever drafted.

Projection:

Stamkos projects as an elite franchise center. He'll be the type of player who can be counted on for at least 40 goals and 90 points a year and who can play in all situations for the Lightning. In the short term, the young star is penciled in to start on the Lightning's second line where 20 goals and 70 points as a rookie is probably a safe and reasonable expectation for him as a rookie.